How far is Lake Wales, FL from St. Petersburg, FL?
The driving distance from Lake Wales, FL to St. Petersburg, FL is about 84.7 miles (136.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 67.4 miles (108.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 34m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Wales and St. Petersburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Wales and St. Petersburg.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Central Avenue
1.4 mi · 4 min · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn right
14.3 mi · 18 min
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4
Turn left onto Van Fleet Drive
3253 ft · 1 min · Van Fleet Drive
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5
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
3184 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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6
Continue on Bartow Road
7 mi · 10 min · Bartow Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward FL 570 Toll West: Polk Parkway West
1520 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Polk Parkway
9.9 mi · 11 min · Polk Parkway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 4 West: Tampa
1.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Merge slight right
25.7 mi · 29 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 275 South: Tampa International Airport, Saint Petersburg
2249 ft · 41 sec
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12
Merge slight left
21.3 mi · 26 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward FL 595: Treasure Island, Florida Orange Groves Winery
1409 ft · 34 sec
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14
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
1.2 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue North
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15
Turn left onto 34th Street North
2693 ft · 1 min · 34th Street North
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16
Continue on 34th Street South
99 m · 14 sec · 34th Street South
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 34th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Wales and St. Petersburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 4 West
Merge slight right
25.7 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Wales and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near St. Petersburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Wales to St. Petersburg?
The road trip is about 84.7 miles (136.3 km) and usually takes 01h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Plant City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.3 miles from Lake Wales and 42.4 miles from St. Petersburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 67.4 miles (108.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.40 one way or $24.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Wales and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near St. Petersburg.
Stop Ideas Near Plant City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plant City.
Lakeland
Lakeland
Union Station
Winter Haven
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Wales and St. Petersburg. Straight-line distance: 67.41 mi (108.48 km).
#1 Lake Wales
City in Polk County, Florida, United States
| Population | 17,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.9014100, -81.5859100 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 St. Petersburg
The second most populous city in Florida.
| Population | 253,693 |
| Coordinates | 27.7708600, -82.6792700 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
End: 34th Street South (-82.679372, 27.77086)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 136 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.15 | $12.40 | $24.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.74 | $27.48 |
| Premium | $4.90 | $14.64 | $29.28 |
| Diesel | $4.35 | $13.01 | $26.01 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Florida · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.